Finlay was a poet and artist. His sculptures, stone works and neon signs combined language and landscape, and expanded the idea of how words can be used and distributed. Initially associated with concrete poetry, he was above all a publisher, founding Wild Hawthorn Press in 1961, which produced a great many publications, often very small in scale. The ephemeral nature of these poem cards, lithographs and booklets was intentional, and Finlay understood publishing as an ongoing process of exchange.

Along with an extensive selection of Finlay’s published works, prints, posters and magazines, the exhibition presents a series of interventions by contemporary artists - Jason Dodge, Christian Flamm, Beatrice Gibson and Will Holder - who reflect Finlay’s ongoing influence today. This culminates in a weekend of events at the end of the exhibition including performances, readings, talks and discussion.

The exhibition also includes a series of six sculptures by Finlay in the grounds of the music venue, St George’s, Bristol, as an offsite project, which were installed permanently in 2002.

Exhibition tours

Every Saturday, 2pm, free

The free tours of our galleries are led by a member of staff, or an invited guest – an artist, writer, or curator – and are a chance to hear the personal interpretations and insights of the tour leader, learn more about the work on show, and task any questions you may have about the exhibition. All welcome.